US Americans will need a 'visa' for Europe next year, El Salvador the next hot expat location, Airbnbs are not great and Global Peace Index map and more Expat News
US Americans will need a ‘visa’ for Europe next year, El Salvador the next hot expat location, Airbnbs are not great and Global Peace Index map and more Expat News
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[00:00:00] Chris: Welcome back to another episode of Expat Rebel. Today, I’m going to share US Americans will need a ‘Visa’ for Europe next year, El Salvador is it the next hot expat location and Airbnbs are not great. Plus global peace index map and more expect news.
[00:00:19] I created this podcast because I believe that being an expat is really not for everyone. And a lot of expat advice out there is unrealistic. So I’m delivering news, motivation and advice that will help you make you an excellent expat and enjoy a better life. And because I know you’re busy I won’t take up too much of your time. I hope this podcast gives you the support you need to become or be a better expat.
[00:00:45] Are you wanting to become an ex-pat soon and go grab my Expat Rebel guide to becoming an expat in 30 days. That’s what I did over at ExpatRebel.com/30. And if you just love what we’re doing, you can come over to support us over at [00:01:00] ExpatRebel.com/join. We’re a community of expats and we’d love for you to join us.
[00:01:04] Now, let’s start today’s episode.
[00:01:06] I recently did some gardening in I have a house here in Yucatan, Mexico on the beach and every summer, because it’s so easy to grow stuff, especially during the summer. We get a bunch of new plants and I have an article. You can check the show notes regarding that some gardening tips and tricks actually
[00:01:27] And our new cats were helping us. And doing it. Then there’s a video and you can go check that out.
[00:01:33] Now let’s move on to expat news. Yes, American travelers are going to need a quote. Visa un-quote for the European Union next year. Most applicants are going to be granted travel authorization in an hour. That’s a completely automated system. It’s only gonna cost like $8.
[00:01:52] But it’s going to be required for everybody, no matter what your age is. And once you’re approved, this authorization is valid for [00:02:00] multiple entries over the course of three years or until your passport expires. So it looks like they’re cracking down. It’s not technically a Visa as they say but does act like one. So that’s going to be new for US American travelers we’ve never had to do it. Would we just, we would just show up and now you got to show and apply and yeah, it’s an automated process and probably fact almost all of us are going to be, not have a problem whatsoever, but it’s now going to cost you eight bucks.
[00:02:32] Next we got Costa Rica’s homicide rates gone a really high. Many many future expats worry about crime and they plan out where they’re going to retire in the next, 20 years in advance. Meanwhile life happens and things change. Even super nice Costa Rica is currently having a problem. So they’re talking about the government must allocate more resources to law enforcement and crime prevention programs.
[00:02:59] [00:03:00] And they’re also talking about having more work in the community to build trust and cooperation. And my guess is that Costa Rica is going to be able to handle this. It’s very nice. I’ve talked to lots of expats that love living there. And it may, might just be a minor glitch and how they’re doing some policing.
[00:03:20] The LGBTQ travel is surging after a slower. Pandemic recovery than the normal population. And that’s probably because it was a little bit political, more political. With that group and with the COVID and all that. So because there are in general more liberal, so that’s seeming to come back full swing.
[00:03:46] And El Salvador is currently away for some mass trials is that crack down gangs ramps up. And I recently saw an expat expert promote El Salvador is the next big expat [00:04:00] location because the crime has gone down a lot and it’s true. It’s gone down. Oh, a lot. But best because they threw 2% of the population in jail when the new president came into office. But what happens after all the trials? So I think saying El Salvador’s is the next new expat place is just a bit premature. Too really, go. It’s promising and it’s on our radar and we’re looking at that.
[00:04:25] I also have another article about a writer, who doesn’t stay in Airbnbs anymore. It’s as she calls it morally sketchy. And hotels are just cheaper and better in every way. And it’s a great article. That a lot of people, including myself have reverted to using hotels over Airbnbs. A quote from her is "I stayed in a hotel recently with my family and it was amazing. Not only was it $160 cheaper than an Airbnb, but there were so many amenities. It wasn’t anything fancy, but I forgot how it luxurious even mid-range hotels can [00:05:00] be. There was coffee and breakfast in the lobby every morning and staff refreshened up our room each day while we were out."
[00:05:07] I’ve had the exact same experience. The fact in Mexico, I love mid-range hotels. The smaller hotels.
[00:05:14] Because they were, a big house way back when, and they converted it into a hotel and they may not be only like eight rooms or six rooms. But it is exquisitely nice. It’s you’re staying in a mansion. And they’re quiet. So I like that. And in fact, there’s one in Campeche that I’ve gone to three to four times now.
[00:05:36] Love going on vacation down there. Just because the hotel is great and they know us well now. And so when, wherever we show up. We’re escorted off to our favorite room and everything. And you just get really great service at some of these smaller places. Actual hotels who actually want to make your stay enjoyable.
[00:05:56] So I agree with the writer on that.
[00:05:58] Mérida is going to be the first [00:06:00] city in Mexico and Latin America with a fleet of electric buses as public transport. It’s a nearby city that I live near it’s pretty hip. And so I’m not surprised by them doing this. This area is very into high-tech things. And so things like this is getting common.
[00:06:20] Also have an article about the safest countries in the world ranked And a global peace Index map of the most and least peaceful countries. Costa Rica is the most peaceful country in Latin America and the Caribbean even though i just mentioned an article where there a homicide rates gone up might’ve glitch but in general they have been the most peaceful country in Latin America and the Caribbean. And Uruguay at the highest ranked South American country we hear lots of great things about Uruguay and of course Europe remains the most peaceful region in the world and it’s home to seven of the 10 safest countries in the world.
[00:06:59] [00:07:00] And then i’ll also have this article that is it safe travel loan as a woman in 2023, written by a woman who shares her experience so check that out all in the show notes
[00:07:11] That’s it for today’s episode hey thanks again for being part of Expat Rebel this is not possible without all of your support. We are building a positive expat community and we are here to support you. If you enjoyed this podcast please leave a review we’d love hearing from you and if you’d like a weekly newsletter go over to ExpatRebel.com/newsletter. Also check out or how to become an expat in about 30 days over at ExpatRebel.com. And it shares how i went from moving to a foreign country In about 30 days and shares how you could save $3,000 in mistakes that I made the first month See you guys next time bye.
